Washington, D.C. camera ticket, but you weren’t driving.
If a friend, partner, or anyone else genuinely had your car, Washington, D.C. law lets you say so under oath and shift the ticket off your name. It’s called a sworn affidavit.
At a glance — details and the official link below. Last verified June 2026.
Does the form work in Washington, D.C.?
D.C. runs the most aggressive automated program in the U.S. — red-light, speed, stop-sign, and bus-lane cameras. The registered owner can submit a sworn affidavit naming the person who had the vehicle (with their name, license number, and address), or claim a stolen-vehicle exception.
Statute: D.C. Code § 50-2209.02 · last verified June 2026. Confirm with your court before filing.
How to file in Washington, D.C.
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i
Make sure it’s true.Someone other than you, or a co-owner, genuinely had the car. The form is sworn, so this part isn’t flexible.
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File before the deadline.Submit by sworn affidavit under penalty of perjury, within the response window on the notice.
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Let the court decide.They cancel the ticket or set a hearing. Either way it stays civil: no points, no hit to your record.
The court reviews your declaration — usually within a couple of weeks. You’ll get a decision by mail or email: the ticket is canceled, or a hearing is set. Don’t pay the fine while you wait — paying can withdraw the declaration. Heard nothing by the follow-up date? Call the court and confirm they received it.
Washington, D.C. camera tickets: FAQ
If someone else was driving, can I get out of a camera ticket in Washington, D.C.?
Yes. Washington, D.C. lets the registered owner file a sworn affidavit (D.C. Code § 50-2209.02) stating you weren’t the driver, naming the person who actually had the vehicle. A valid one can cancel the ticket. It must be true — it’s sworn under penalty of perjury.
How do I fight a traffic camera ticket in Washington, D.C.?
If someone else was driving, file a sworn affidavit (D.C. Code § 50-2209.02) — follow the steps above. If it was you, request a hearing to contest the citation itself. Either way these are civil tickets, so no license points.
What is the sworn affidavit in Washington, D.C.?
It’s a sworn statement to the court that the vehicle was in someone else’s control at the time of the camera infraction. File it by sworn affidavit under penalty of perjury, within the response window on the notice.
Do camera tickets in Washington, D.C. put points on my license?
No. Automated red-light and speed camera citations in Washington, D.C. are civil — they don’t add points to your driving record. Don’t pay the fine before filing, though — paying usually withdraws your right to declare.
Do I have to name who was driving in Washington, D.C.?
Yes — Washington, D.C.’s process requires you to identify the actual driver for liability to transfer to them. (Some states, like Washington and Oregon, don’t require this; Washington, D.C. does.)
This is a statement under penalty of perjury. If it was genuinely someone else, use the remedy without hesitation. If it was you, just pay it or ask for a hearing — a false oath is never worth it.
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